Stain-resistant boot wear test conducted at Luke Published June 4, 2009 LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Luke Air Force Base has been selected to conduct the latest wear test on stain resistant boots. The Air Force Uniform Office continues its research to find a stain-resistant utility boot that retains the low maintenance of the current sage green boot and is composed of material that will not stain nor absorb workplace chemicals. Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Owens, 56th Maintenance Group superintendant is heading up the testing effort at Luke. "It is a pleasure for Luke to take this tasking on for the Air Force," he said. "Based on Luke's size, operations tempo, and around-the-clock activities we are the ideal sample population for centralized testing of the demographics required to determine if the stain resistant boots will meet the needed requirements for the Air Force. We'll definitely put the proposed footwear through the "test" while providing complete and accurate feedback." One pair of boots will be delivered to each individual to wear and test during a 45-day period. The objective of this wear test is to get opinions from the participants about the stain resistance, care and maintenance, appearance, and overall suitability of the boot material, and the ability of the boots to withstand the rigors of the participant's work tasks. It is projected that 200 Airmen will participate in this wear test, which is five times more than the number who participated in the previous test. The majority of these Airmen will work in the aircraft maintenance career field. In May 2009, a request for information was posted on www.FedBizOpps.gov, the single source for federal government procurement opportunities, for sage green full-grain leather boots. The goal of the request for information is to procure and then have participants wear test boots that are made from a material similar to the current black leather boots, but are sage green in color and with a duller finish that will discourage anyone from polishing them. "The latest test boots have smooth leather, like the old black boots," said Richard Keefer, AFUO chief. "The intent is to try a boot that is easy to clean, won't stain, and has leather that hides scuffs from industrial use." Since posting the request for information the AFUO has received responses that include boot samples and test data from five boot vendors. Before this request for information, the AFUO has tested stain-resistant boot prototypes with little success. In late November through early December 2008, 45 pairs of boots were distributed to participants to wear and test during a 60-day period. According to 2nd Lt. Ashley Hawkes, AFUO project officer, most of the Airmen selected to participate in this wear test were based on Air Force specialty codes. Participants included active-duty and Reserve members working predominantly in the maintenance, medical and civil engineering career fields. Unfortunately, the majority of feedback received from the participants in this wear test was negative and the boot samples returned for analysis failed to meet the standards required by the AFUO. According to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, the test will be brief and conclusive. For more information regarding Air Force uniforms, e-mail questions to 648AESS.clothing@wpafb.af.mil. Courtesy Air Force Uniform Office Public Affairs and 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs